Ramirez knew exactly why Gonzalez summoned him: to inform him he was back in the leadoff spot.

Gonzalez had a change of heart with the batting order, deciding to move Ramirez out of the three-hole in favor Cabrera and slotting the left-handed hitting Mike Jacobs between Cabrera and Josh Willingham.

This alignment should look familiar, as it was the one the Marlins used for most of April and May until Jacobs was sidelined with a fractured thumb. Initially, Gonzalez had said Ramirez would remain the No. 3 hitter in spite of Jacobs' return from the disable list.

"It's the new old lineup," Gonzalez said. "I kicked it around and looked at it. I'm allowed to change my mind."

Ramirez was fine with the move. After all, it was as a leadoff hitter that Ramirez batted .343 (48 for 140) with a .425 on-base percentage. Hitting third, Ramirez batted .297 (49 for 165) with a .331 on-base.

The most important part of Ramirez's game, scoring runs, didn't dip much. He scored 33 as a leadoff hitter and 29 from the three spot. He entered Wednesday leading the National League with 62 runs.

Ramirez stole just two more bases as a leadoff hitter than he did batting third. He did drive in 11 more runs than he did from the top spot (seven).

"I think he could do whatever," Gonzalez said. "He could lead off or hit second or third or fourth.

"Who knows what he does when he starts maturing. He drove in 18 runs from the three-hole and his average stayed fairly the same."

Gonzalez said he would keep this alignment against left-handers, except for using right-handed hitting Brett Carroll in center instead of Alfredo Amezaga.

LINDEN BACK

Switch-hitting outfielder Todd Linden, who the Marlins claimed off waivers from the Giants last month, is back for a second stint with the club.

Linden is taking the roster spot of Aaron Boone, who on Wednesday was placed on the disabled list with a sprained medial collateral ligament.

Linden went 10 for 55 (.182) with the Giants and was 2 for 14 (six strikeouts) with the Marlins before they designated him for assignment June 5.

Linden appears to have found his stroke for Triple-A Albuquerque. In 14 games, Linden batted .375 (18 for 48) with a homer and 10 RBI.

MISSING YOU

Asked about Cody Ross' timetable for a return, Gonzalez said: "That's almost the biggest loss."

Out with a hamstring injury, Ross isn't expected back until after the All-Star break. Gonzalez said he thought the center-field platoon of Ross and Amezaga was working well.

Ross, who has not played since May 5, was batting .302 (16 for 53) with a .642 slugging percentage when he was hurt.

The Marlins are expecting a Camp Day record 21,000 kids for this afternoon's game.